Mirror, mirror, on the wall, what’s the most contentious blockbuster of them all? With a staggering budget of $270 million, this film, starring Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess, finally arrives in theaters this month after four tumultuous years marked by online outrage and negative press.
The controversies surrounding Snow White have been numerous, from calls to boycott the film to criticisms over its portrayal of little people. Recently, Zegler and her co-star Gal Gadot appeared at the Oscars, seemingly avoiding eye contact due to differing opinions on current events in Gaza. Such incidents have plagued the film, which Disney likely didn’t foresee.
Originally, this remake was seen as a surefire success, following the box office triumphs of previous live-action adaptations like Alice in Wonderland and The Jungle Book. Expectations were high, especially with the film’s release coinciding with Disney's 100th anniversary. However, the project faced challenges from the onset, beginning with Zegler's casting, which sparked backlash due to her Latina heritage. This echoed the backlash faced by Halle Bailey when cast as Ariel in The Little Mermaid.
Zegler’s comments about the original film being “extremely dated” only fueled the fire. She emphasized that her character would be more empowered, moving away from traditional narratives. Critics accused her of ingratitude, and even the son of the original film's director condemned her approach.
Additionally, Peter Dinklage raised concerns about Disney’s handling of the dwarfism representation, prompting the studio to promise a more sensitive portrayal. However, early promotional images featuring CGI dwarfs did little to quell skepticism.
Despite the controversies, early tracking suggests the film may perform decently at the box office, with projections of a $58 million opening weekend. While this isn’t stellar compared to other Disney remakes, it wouldn’t be a financial disaster either. Ultimately, the release of Snow White serves as a reflection of the current state of online discourse and Hollywood’s often superficial engagement with progressive issues. The film hits cinemas on March 21, and only time will tell if it can surprise audiences like its predecessor did back in 1937.
